A Life of Greatness

When did your child go from telling you every tiny detail of their day to having a whole world you only hear about in bits?

In Sarah’s Thoughts, mindset coach Sarah Grynberg explores the quiet ache of watching your kids grow up, and how to stay close as they become more independent.

You’ll learn:

– Why you can be proud of who they’re becoming and still miss who they were.

– How to give them more space without losing touch.

– What changes when you get curious abou...

What happens when the obsession that nearly destroys your life becomes the very thing that helps you rebuild it?

On A Life Of Greatness, Sarah Grynberg sits down with Ken Rideout, a world champion marathon runner who overcame a decade-long opioid addiction to become one of the world’s fastest marathon runners over 50.

From an abusive childhood to a successful Wall Street career that concealed his addiction, Ken shares how fatherhood motivated him to get sober and running gave him somewhere to redirect his intensity. He also opens up about quitting an Ironman, su...

Ever been made to feel invisible the moment someone more “important” walks into the room?

In Sarah’s Thoughts, mindset coach Sarah Grynberg explores social climbing, the need for approval and why chasing the right connections can leave you with very little real connection.

You’ll learn:

– How to spot when a friendship is more about access than affection.

– Why money, status and influential friends can become substitutes for self-worth.

– How to stop chasing approval from people who only value you when you’re useful.

Because yo...

Why do we put spiritual and personal development leaders on a pedestal, and what happens when they fall?

On A Life Of Greatness, Sarah Grynberg sits down with Mark Vicente, co-director of What the Bleep Do We Know!? and former senior NXIVM member, to explore cults, charismatic leaders and the darker side of the search for enlightenment.

From his experience inside Keith Raniere’s NXIVM to his concerns about spiritual teacher Bentinho Massaro, Mark examines how promises of freedom and personal growth can give way to manipulation and control.

In th...

How much of your life are you giving up just to keep everyone happy?

You soften the email, say yes when you want to say no, or change your decision because you’re worried about someone’s reaction. Before long, their approval matters more than what you actually want.

In this episode of Sarah’s Thoughts, mindset coach Sarah Grynberg explores the hidden cost of people pleasing, the fear of rejection and why building self-worth means getting comfortable with being disliked.

You’ll learn:

What does it take to back yourself when there’s no guarantee it will work?

On A Life Of Greatness, Sarah Grynberg sits down with Adam Schwab, co-founder and CEO of Luxury Escapes, to explore the risks, setbacks and unexpected opportunities behind his success, and why he believes luck deserves more credit than most entrepreneurs admit.

From walking away from law to leading a travel company through COVID-19, Adam shares what helped him keep going when the stakes were high.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

You Have Everything You Wanted. Why Do You Still Feel Empty?

The house, the car, the holidays. Enough money to stop worrying about money. So why doesn’t your life feel as good as it looks?

In this episode of Sarah’s Thoughts, mindset coach Sarah Grynberg explores why success, wealth and comfort don’t always bring the happiness and fulfilment we expect, and why chasing the next milestone can keep us stuck.

From hedonic adaptation, where we quickly get used to what once thrilled us, to the arrival fallacy, the be...

What happens when you achieve everything you ever dreamed of, yet still find yourself navigating heartbreak, loneliness and the pain of your past?

On the A Life of Greatness podcast, Sarah Grynberg sits down with Gavin Rossdale, frontman of Bush, to explore childhood rejection, rock-star fame and life after his public divorce from Gwen Stefani. Gavin opens up about the experiences that shaped his understanding of love, the loneliness of touring and why letting go of people remains one of his hardest lessons.

You will learn:

Why do some people find a problem with everything?

The teacher, the other parents, work, the weekend plans. We all know someone who finds a problem with everything. But what if their constant complaining is about something they’re not saying?

In this episode of Sarah’s Thoughts, mindset coach Sarah Grynberg explores the psychology behind constant complaining, from feeling overwhelmed or out of control to seeking reassurance and connection.

You’ll learn:

What is your child being exposed to on their phone,and would they tell you if something went wrong?

Parenting educator and bestselling author Maggie Dent returns to A Life of Greatness with Sarah Grynberg to discuss her new book, Digital Freedom, and the online dangers parents can’t afford to overlook.

From pornography and cyberbullying to deepfakes, sextortion and AI companions, Maggie explains what parents need to understand, and how to protect children while keeping their trust.

You’ll learn:

Here’s something we’re rarely told about family: you can love someone, care about them and still not particularly like them.

In this episode of Sarah’s Thoughts, Sarah explores why accepting that truth can actually make difficult family relationships easier — especially when you stop expecting someone to become the person you wish they were.

Maybe it’s the parent who never gives you the emotional support you need. The sibling who turns everything into a competition. Or the family member who always seems to know exactly which button to push. Often, the frustr...

What happens when powerful people stop hearing the word no?

In this compelling episode of A Life of Greatness, Sarah Grynberg sits down with journalist, author and Rampart founder Joe Aston for a candid conversation about power, ambition, addiction and the stories that have defined his career.

Joe shares his unlikely journey from working inside Qantas PR to becoming one of the journalists most closely associated with scrutinising the airline and its former CEO, Alan Joyce. He reveals the moment he believed something had shifted in Joyce, and what reporting on Australia’s mo...

You can have the house, the career, the family and a life you once dreamed about — and still somehow feel like you’re falling behind.

In this episode of Sarah’s Thoughts, Sarah explores the hidden reason so many of us struggle to feel satisfied with what we have: we’ve quietly turned the people around us into our competition.

A friend renovates and suddenly your kitchen feels tired. Someone books an incredible holiday and your weekend away feels small. They get the promotion, buy the car or hit another milestone — and although you’re gen...

On December 14, 2025, Valentyna and Michael Britvan took their daughters to a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach. It was meant to be an afternoon of family, food and celebration. Instead, gunmen opened fire on the crowd, killing their 10-year-old daughter, Matilda.

In their first sit-down podcast interview, Matilda’s parents join Sarah Grynberg for one of the most important and deeply moving conversations ever shared on A Life of Greatness.

Valentyna and Michael speak candidly about what happened during the Bondi massacre, the desperate moments trying to save Matilda and the unimaginable reality of learning to...

Dolly Parton was famous for the big hair, rhinestones, unmistakable voice and infectious personality. But behind it all was an extraordinarily sharp woman who understood something powerful: being underestimated can be an advantage.

In this episode of Sarah’s Thoughts, Sarah reflects on Dolly’s journey from growing up as one of 12 children in rural Tennessee to building an extraordinary career on her own terms.

At the heart of the episode is a defining decision: when Elvis Presley wanted to record I Will Always Love You, Dolly refused to give up half of her...

Are you dealing with a narcissist, whether it’s a partner, parent or someone at work, and how do you protect yourself when you can’t simply leave?

In this episode, Sarah Grynberg speaks with Dr Ramani Durvasula, a clinical psychologist, bestselling author and one of the world’s leading experts on narcissism and narcissistic abuse.

You’ll learn:

Why are we so quick to tear down people who seem to have everything?

In this episode of Sarah’s Thoughts, mindset coach Sarah Grynberg explores the psychology behind jealousy, judgement and our urge to find flaws in people who are beautiful, successful or confident.

You’ll learn what your criticism of someone else might actually reveal about you, why diminishing their success could be quietly limiting your own, and how to turn jealousy into something far more useful.

Before you judge someone for shining a little too brightly, this episode migh...

Why does your dog become anxious, destructive or refuse to listen, and what are they really trying to tell you?

In this episode of A Life of Greatness, Sarah Grynberg sits down with world renowned dog behaviourist Cesar Millan to uncover what sits behind some of the most common and confusing dog behaviours.

Cesar reveals the biggest mistakes owners make, how much exercise dogs really need, the right way to greet a dog, and what may be driving separation anxiety and destructive behaviour. He also explains how dogs communicate, what they can sense that...

Why do we sometimes sabotage the very things we’ve worked so hard to get?

In this short episode of Sarah’s Thoughts, mindset coach Sarah Grynberg explores why love, success and stability can sometimes make us want to pull away, create conflict or blow things up just when life is going well.

You’ll learn why your brain can mistake familiar for safe, how past experiences can shape what feels “normal”, and what to do when something good suddenly starts making you uncomfortable.

If you’ve ever wondered why you keep get...

What does it take to build some of Australia’s most iconic restaurants, and what happens when you risk your reputation to speak out against the government?

In this episode of A Life of Greatness, Sarah Grynberg sits down with renowned restaurateur Chris Lucas, the man behind some of Melbourne’s most iconic restaurants including Chin Chin, Society, Grill Americano, Maison Bâtard and Yakimono, for a candid conversation about success, resilience, leadership, family and the future of Melbourne.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why Chris publicly took on Daniel An...

What if procrastination isn’t laziness at all, but your brain trying to protect you from a feeling you don’t want to face?

In this episode of Sarah’s Thoughts, mindset coach Sarah Grynberg reveals what may really be behind the things you keep putting off, from fear of failure and overwhelm to the uncomfortable thought that what you create might not be good enough.

You’ll learn why pushing yourself harder often doesn’t work, the simple question that can uncover what you’re actually avoiding, and a surprisingly small shift that can hel...

What happens when you’ve spent your entire life becoming one of the best swimmers in the world, and suddenly the identity that defined you is gone?

In this episode of A Life of Greatness, Sarah Grynberg sits down with Australian swimming legend and two time Olympic gold medallist Grant Hackett for a deeply honest conversation about the mindset behind elite performance, resilience, identity and rebuilding your life when everything changes.

Grant reveals the mental strategies that made him virtually unbeatable in the 1500m freestyle, what was going through his mind before winning Ol...

Why does the thing you’ve been desperately wanting so often seem to arrive the moment you finally stop chasing it?

In this episode of Sarah’s Thoughts, Sarah explores why “letting go” may be more than just a manifestation cliché. When we become fixated on a particular outcome, stress can narrow our attention so intensely that we stop noticing opportunities that don’t look exactly the way we expected them to.

Sarah unpacks the idea of cognitive tunnelling, how pressure can keep us locked onto one version of what we think should happen, and...

What if the key to a better life isn’t controlling what happens to you, but learning how to respond when life doesn’t go your way?

In this episode of A Life of Greatness, Sarah Grynberg sits down with bestselling author and modern Stoic philosopher Ryan Holiday to reveal how Stoicism can help you stop overthinking, let go of what you can’t control and find greater peace in an uncertain world.

Ryan shares powerful lessons on ego, discipline, resilience and memento mori, the ancient practice of remembering that life is finite, and ex...

What if the life you've been waiting for is already here... and you're too busy to notice it?

In this episode of Sarah's Thoughts, Sarah Grynberg reflects on the ordinary moments that quietly become the ones we miss the most.

Through a simple story about an ordinary Tuesday afternoon with her son, Sarah explores why we spend so much of life waiting for the big milestones, while the moments that shape us often pass unnoticed.

Drawing on neuroscience, she explains why the memories that stay with us aren't necessarily the biggest...

What if the thoughts keeping you stuck aren't facts, but patterns you can learn to step away from?

On this episode of A Life of Greatness, Sarah Grynberg sits down with clinical psychologist and Unstuck author Dr Emily Musgrove to explore why we get trapped in cycles of overthinking, rumination and self-doubt, and how Acceptance and Commitment Therapy can help us create a richer, more meaningful life.

Emily shares practical tools to help you stop battling your thoughts, reconnect with your values and move forward with greater clarity and purpose. She also opens...

What if the hardest part of chasing your dreams isn't starting... but continuing when nothing seems to be happening?

In this episode of Sarah's Thoughts, Sarah Grynberg explores the uncomfortable middle, that season of life where you're doing the work, showing up every day, yet can't see any evidence that you're getting closer to the life you want.

Drawing on neuroscience and psychology, Sarah explains why our brains naturally crave certainty, why doubt often appears just before meaningful growth, and why feeling stuck isn't a sign you've failed—it's often a sign you're growing.

Why do so many loving relationships lose their passion? Has technology changed the way we connect forever? And what does it really take to build a love that stays alive?

In one of the most anticipated conversations on A Life of Greatness, world-renowned psychotherapist, bestselling author and relationship expert Esther Perel returns to the podcast for a profound discussion about love, intimacy, desire and the changing landscape of modern relationships.

Twenty years after her groundbreaking book Mating in Captivity, Esther reflects on why her work feels more relevant than ever. She and Sarah...

Have you ever walked away from a conversation with a friend feeling smaller than when you arrived?

In this episode of Sarah's Thoughts, Sarah Grynberg explores one of the most difficult and often unspoken dynamics in adult friendships: jealousy.

Why do some people celebrate our struggles but seem distant when we succeed? Why can good news sometimes change the energy in the room? And how do we know when a friendship is genuinely supportive, or quietly holding us back?

Drawing on neuroscience, Sarah explains how feelings of scarcity and low...

Can mediumship be explained? Can grief ever truly heal? And what happens when science meets spirituality?

Sarah Grynberg sits down with internationally renowned psychic medium John Edward for the third time to explore questions that have fascinated humanity for centuries. With over four decades of experience, John shares what it's really like to communicate with those who have passed, the difference between being a psychic and a medium, and why he believes mediumship should be grounded in evidence and integrity, not blind faith. They also unpack the double-blind studies he took part in with researchers from...

What if The Testaments isn't a dystopian fantasy... but a warning?

In this episode of Sarah's Thoughts, Sarah Grynberg reflects on Margaret Atwood's The Testaments and the uncomfortable parallels between fiction and the reality millions of women are facing today.

From Afghanistan, where girls are denied education and women are stripped of basic freedoms, to Iran, where women continue to risk their lives for acts of resistance, Sarah explores how oppression rarely arrives all at once. Instead, it happens gradually—through small compromises, quiet acceptance, and the slow normalisation of what once seemed unimaginable.

What if confidence wasn't about becoming someone else, but finally allowing yourself to be who you've always been?

In this honest and often hilarious conversation, Sarah Grynberg welcomes back beloved broadcaster, comedian and bestselling author Christian O'Connell to explore his new book, The Radical Act of Being Yourself. Together they unpack why so many of us silence ourselves, perform versions of who we think we should be, and lose confidence in the moments that matter most.

Drawing on more than 30 years behind the microphone, Christian reveals why real confidence has almost nothing to do...

What if one of the biggest drains on your energy isn't what happens to you, but the judgments you make about it?

In this episode of Sarah's Thoughts, Sarah explores a simple but powerful idea from A Course in Miracles: "I will judge nothing that occurs today." She reflects on how quickly we form opinions about people, situations and ourselves, often without even realising it, and how those judgments can quietly shape our experience of the world.

You'll learn:

• Why judgment is often an automatic habit rather than a conscious choice

What if confidence isn’t something you’re born with, but something you create?

In this captivating conversation, Sarah Grynberg sits down with the incomparable Dita Von Teese, the undisputed Queen of Burlesque, to explore the mindset, discipline and self-belief behind one of the world's most recognisable personal brands. From growing up in a small town in Michigan to becoming an international icon of glamour, Dita shares how curiosity, creativity and authenticity shaped a career that didn't exist until she created it herself.

Together, they discuss the misconceptions surrounding confidence, beauty and femininity, why...

Are we protecting our children, or are we protecting them from the very experiences they need to grow?

In this episode of Sarah's Thoughts, Sarah explores the rise of helicopter parenting and why resilience is built through small moments of discomfort, disappointment and failure. From scraped knees to friendship fallouts, she reflects on the lessons children learn when they're given the space to navigate challenges for themselves.

You'll learn:

• Why coping with discomfort is a skill that must be developed

• The difference between a safe childhood and a sanitized one<...

What does it really take to build a business that thrives - not just financially, but sustainably?

In this episode of A Life of Greatness, Sarah Grynberg sits down with Verne Harnish, founder of Entrepreneurs' Organization and bestselling author of Scaling Up. After decades spent advising some of the world's fastest-growing companies, Verne shares the principles that separate businesses that simply survive from those that truly flourish.

But this conversation goes far beyond business strategy. Verne reflects on growing up in a family that went from wealth to hardship, the lessons he learned watching...

Is there something you've been meaning to say?

In this episode of Sarah's Thoughts, Sarah explores the words we carry but never speak. The "I love you" we assume they already know. The thank you we never quite get around to saying. The apology, the boundary, or the truth we've been holding onto while waiting for the perfect moment.

Sarah reflects on the hidden cost of silence and why the conversations we avoid often stay with us the longest. Because while speaking up can feel uncomfortable, carrying important words unsaid can be even harder.<...

What if the life you're searching for isn't something you find... but something you discover?

Today's episode will change how you think about purpose, success and what it actually means to build a meaningful life.

Jim Collins is one of the most respected business thinkers in the world, the author of Good to Great, a book that has shaped how millions of leaders think about success. But today's conversation is not about business. It is about something every single person will face at some point in their life.

Jim shares the...

What if you're living in the good old days right now and don't even know it?

In this reflective episode, Sarah explores the quiet moments that often become the memories we miss most. The family dinners, the childhood home, the ordinary routines that feel insignificant at the time but later become priceless.

You'll learn:

• Why we rarely recognise life's most precious moments while we're living them

• How nostalgia can teach us what truly matters

• The importance of appreciating the people and places we still have today

What happens when the career you built your whole life around disappears overnight?

Jase Hawkins has been one of Australia's most recognisable breakfast radio voices for decades. But behind the laughter was a story most people never saw, including the moment he was told everything would be fine, right before his number one show was axed.

In this episode, Jase opens up about losing both his parents, the grief that still catches him off guard, the IVF journey he and his wife went through, and raising a son with autism.

You'll...